All,  Banished Ingredients,  Ingredient Education

Homosalate

Back to SPF, my friends! What is Homosalate?

This is another widely used chemical found in traditional sunscreens and skin care products with SPF. Homosalate absorbs short-wave UVB rays associated with DNA damage and increased risk of skin cancer.

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This doesn’t seem like an issue, right? Sooo… what makes Homosalate so harmful?

 

🚫 Homosalate is an endocrine disruptor that impacts the estrogen system in particular. Studies showed Homosalate use led to 3.5 times more human breast cancer cell growth and multiplication. 

🚫 Homosalate has been shown to impact the androgen and progesterone systems in cell cultures.

🚫 Homosalate and other cosmetic filters have been identified in human breast milk samples. One study of 54 mother-child pairs found that 85.2% of their breast milk samples had chemical UV filters!

🚫 Homosalate’s estrogenic activity has been observed in human placental tissues 

🚫 Craziest of all… Homosalate has been shown to enhance the amount of pesticides we absorb through our skin!! A study found that mice wearing Homosalate-containing sunscreen in combination with pesticides containing DEET had increased absorption of herbicide 2.4-D 

 

Homosalate also goes by Homomenthyl Salicylate, HMS, HS; 3,3,5-trinethyl-cyclohexyl-salicylate on ingredient labels… so keep your eyes peeled ladies! Commonly found and used in brands like: Coppertone, Bananaboat, Neutragena, and Equate.

 

Now that we have a better understanding of why avoiding chemical sunscreen is so important, stay tuned for more details on the GOOD ones to swap to!

©LivingWellMama®️